Size‐frequency distributions of Joania cordata and Argyrotheca cuneata (Brachiopoda: Megathyrididae) from the Central Tyrrhenian Sea

Size‐frequency distributions can support reliable inferences concerning population dynamics of brachiopods, but only a few data are available so far. In this study, length and width frequency distributions of dead specimens of the Recent brachiopods Joania cordata and Argyrotheca cuneata from the Marine Protected Area ‘Secche di Tor Paterno’, Central Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy (41°35′ N, 12°20′ E), are reported in order to add new data about size‐frequency distributions of brachiopods. The studied specimens came from death assemblages in the coralligenous substrate, in the Posidonia oceanica meadows, and in the sand channels. The observed patterns vary from left‐skewed (J. cordata) to right‐skewed (A. cuneata), indicating respectively a low and high mortality of smaller individuals. Significant differences between the coralligenous substrate and the P. oceanica meadow were observed for both species, revealing a variation among different habitats. All length and width distributions are clearly polymodal, but the biological meaning of the peaks is difficult to interpret, as the two species seem to have a 2‐year life span. A biometric analysis of shell sizes revealed that length and width are the most variable parameters during the growth of the animal.     

Polymorphic Zooids in Deitaic Species Populations of Conopeum seurati (CANU, 1928) (Bryozoa, Cheilostomata)

Abstract. Deltaic populations of Conopeum seurati from diverse environmental settings have variable phenotypes related to strong competitive regimes and to dissolved oxygen minima. Under extremely stressful conditions, the poorly canalized phenotype of C. seurati displays new additional features such as kleistozooids ( kleistós = closed) and chaotic celleporoid layers. Kleistozooids are clearly distinguishable polymorphs characterized by the presence of a compact, imperforate frontal membrane and by a strongly reduced lumen of the "opesium". They commonly aggregate in clusters of regularly-arranged individuals that store a large quantity of proteic material. The inferred function of these cell-like structures is to supply nutrients for basic colony activities. Celleporoid layers are, possibly, a developmental relaxation of the colony of C. seurati for a more efficient use of space in competitive interactions.
Both celleporoid layers and kleistozooids reveal the magnitude of intracolony variability of a widespread opportunistic bryozoan species.